Right now, it looks like 3 Friday night contests, 1 probable forfeit, and 1 Saturday afternoon game. Three of the games should be pretty competitive.
Southeast (1-1) at MacArthur (1-1)
Barring a last minute change, Mac will forfeit for the 2nd week in a row due to COVID. This hurts their playoff chances as they would have been heavy favorites at home against Southeast. Apparently, Southeast has had no luck in getting a replacement opponent. If they do get one, I will provide an updated prediction. Southeast forfeit win
U High (0-2) at Lanphier (0-2)
U High is giving up over 40 points a game, while Lanphier is giving up over 60. U High did compete for a half last week against Jacksonville before losing by 3 TD’s. Lanphier lost at least 4 fumbles last week and gave up one big play after another on defense. They do have one RB with speed and power, and he had some nice plays against Springfield. U High gets some revenge for losing at home in the spring season. U High 34 Lanphier 23
Chatham (1-1) at Jacksonville (1-1)
Had this been Week 1, I would have picked Jacksonville. Chatham has been more impressive so far through 2 games. They have a new QB who can throw and the offense has adapted to his strengths. No more read option first like with Luke Lehnen and Jake Burris. Jacksonville has played ok and got a win on the road last week against U High. They have a chance, particularly if QB Owens has a career game. Chatham also has a history of beating Jacksonville. Think it will be close but Chatham wins. Chatham 37 Jacksonville 28
SHG (2-0) at Rochester (1-1) Leonard Bowl
I don’t have a good read yet on this SHG team. They have blown out 2 of the perennial bottom 4 teams in the CS 8. SHG has a new QB, new RB’s, and a mostly new OL. They have won at Rochester before, although the Rockets have won the last 3 times at home. Rochester was mauled by Loyola last week and surely remembers the 52-33 manhandling by the Cyclones in the spring. This is a chance for the Rockets to rebound from last week at home, where they haven’t lost since 2015. The last team to beat them at home was SHG. Rochester needs to start strong and not relax if they get an early lead. Hank Beatty should make enough plays to get the Rockets a win. Rochester 38 SHG 25
Eisenhower (0-2) at Springfield (2-0) Saturday
This should be an easy win for the Senators, even though they have 4 players sitting out who were ejected from the Lanphier game last week. Springfield Coach Roy Gully has said he will not coach the game in protest of the IHSA not considering their appeal on the ejections. Regardless, Rashad Rochelle will have another big game, and the Senators should get a running clock. Springfield 53 Eisenhower 7
This will be the 1st Leonard Bowl I’ve missed since 2012. I will be out of town. Any post game comments from me will be based mostly on the highlights from Sports Radio 1450. Maybe Ratsy can provide some additional post game analysis, as someone who will be at the game.
Southeast (1-1) at MacArthur (1-1)
Barring a last minute change, Mac will forfeit for the 2nd week in a row due to COVID. This hurts their playoff chances as they would have been heavy favorites at home against Southeast. Apparently, Southeast has had no luck in getting a replacement opponent. If they do get one, I will provide an updated prediction. Southeast forfeit win
U High (0-2) at Lanphier (0-2)
U High is giving up over 40 points a game, while Lanphier is giving up over 60. U High did compete for a half last week against Jacksonville before losing by 3 TD’s. Lanphier lost at least 4 fumbles last week and gave up one big play after another on defense. They do have one RB with speed and power, and he had some nice plays against Springfield. U High gets some revenge for losing at home in the spring season. U High 34 Lanphier 23
Chatham (1-1) at Jacksonville (1-1)
Had this been Week 1, I would have picked Jacksonville. Chatham has been more impressive so far through 2 games. They have a new QB who can throw and the offense has adapted to his strengths. No more read option first like with Luke Lehnen and Jake Burris. Jacksonville has played ok and got a win on the road last week against U High. They have a chance, particularly if QB Owens has a career game. Chatham also has a history of beating Jacksonville. Think it will be close but Chatham wins. Chatham 37 Jacksonville 28
SHG (2-0) at Rochester (1-1) Leonard Bowl
I don’t have a good read yet on this SHG team. They have blown out 2 of the perennial bottom 4 teams in the CS 8. SHG has a new QB, new RB’s, and a mostly new OL. They have won at Rochester before, although the Rockets have won the last 3 times at home. Rochester was mauled by Loyola last week and surely remembers the 52-33 manhandling by the Cyclones in the spring. This is a chance for the Rockets to rebound from last week at home, where they haven’t lost since 2015. The last team to beat them at home was SHG. Rochester needs to start strong and not relax if they get an early lead. Hank Beatty should make enough plays to get the Rockets a win. Rochester 38 SHG 25
Eisenhower (0-2) at Springfield (2-0) Saturday
This should be an easy win for the Senators, even though they have 4 players sitting out who were ejected from the Lanphier game last week. Springfield Coach Roy Gully has said he will not coach the game in protest of the IHSA not considering their appeal on the ejections. Regardless, Rashad Rochelle will have another big game, and the Senators should get a running clock. Springfield 53 Eisenhower 7
This will be the 1st Leonard Bowl I’ve missed since 2012. I will be out of town. Any post game comments from me will be based mostly on the highlights from Sports Radio 1450. Maybe Ratsy can provide some additional post game analysis, as someone who will be at the game.
